THE UNDISCLOSED PLIGHT OF OVERSEAS FOREIGN WORKERS (OFWs) PORTRAYED IN THE REVEALING DOCUMENTARY
SAN JOSE, CA (MarketWire - September 20, 2009) MODERN DAY SLAVES is a social issue feature film documentary intended to bring awareness to a phenomenon that is prevalent worldwide yet sadly undisclosed regarding OFWs (Overseas Foreign Workers). The documentary which has just completed production is currently in negotiations for network cable, TV and home video distribution. Filmmaker Ted Unarce's mission is to bring this issue to light so that it is openly discussed in the media, academia and the public.
OFWs numbering in the millions leave their home country to find work in other parts of the world, and often find them selves trapped in a slave-like existence, abused and forgotten by both their home country and host country. Third world government's support this slave-labor trade as it brings in billions of dollars by way of remittances. The Philippine government, for example, accrued nearly 18 billion dollars alone in 2008 and openly encourages its citizens to find employment overseas.
Filmmaker Ted Unarce exposes these injustices in the documentary MODERN DAY SLAVES and follows the lives of four Filipinos from different socio-economic backgrounds. The stories respectively depict rape, severe physical and psychological torture and even a beheading, to outline how human rights are violated and to illustrate the horrific consequence of human trafficking. Says Unarce, "While such problems of the Third World are daunting and perhaps uncomfortable to watch, it is critical for those of us in the First World to look at them with eyes wide open." We live in a global economy and what happens in Third World countries can soon happen to those in First World countries. With the recent financial collapse worldwide, more Americans are fleeing the United States to find work elsewhere. "This film is a cautionary tale."
Mr. Unarce's goal as a documentary filmmaker is to create a series of documentaries and narrative films portraying human rights abuse in third world countries. With this film the intent is to bring forward the social issue of human trafficking and human rights violation.